Bound By Sin

Police Investigation Interviews.

The fluorescent lights flickered in the cramped interrogation room at the police station. Detective Blackwood leaned over a stack of case files, his brow furrowed in concentration. Across the table sat Detective Caldwell, tapping a pen against the table nervously. The atmosphere was thick with tension as they prepared to interview the partygoers from that night.

"Let's get started," Blackwood said, glancing at the clock. "We'll begin with Genevieve."

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The door swung open, and Genevieve stepped inside, her hands trembling slightly as she sat down.

"Thank you for coming, Genevieve," Caldwell said, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. "Can you tell us what you remember from the party?"

Genevieve took a deep breath, her voice shaky. "I was dancing and having a good time. Melissa was there too, laughing, drinking. She was really enjoying herself."

Blackwood leaned in. "And then what happened?"

"I... I don't know. At some point, I lost track of her. She just disappeared. It was like she just... vanished. Then Nicholas came over and said he found her," Genevieve replied, her eyes wide with distress.

Caldwell scribbled notes, glancing at Blackwood. "Did you notice anything strange? Anyone acting suspicious?"

Genevieve shook her head. "No, everyone seemed normal. We were all just... having fun."

"Alright, thank you," Caldwell said, standing to signal the end of the interview. "We might have more questions later."

As she left, Blackwood glanced at the next name on the list. "Bring in Isabella."

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Isabella walked in, her expression anxious but determined.

"Isabella, thanks for coming in," Blackwood started. "Can you tell us about the night of the party?"

"I was with Genevieve. We were dancing and drinking, just like everyone else," Isabella said, her voice steadier than she felt. "But then I lost sight of Melissa. I thought she might've gone outside or to the bathroom, but when I went to look for her, she was just... gone."

"Did you see anything unusual before that?" Caldwell asked.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," Isabella replied. "Just people having fun, you know? Then Nicholas came running in, saying he found her."

"Did anyone seem off to you?" Blackwood pressed.

Isabella hesitated. "No, everyone was just... having a good time. I can't believe this is happening."

"Alright, thank you. We might have more questions later," Caldwell said as Isabella exited.

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Ashton strolled in with a nonchalant attitude, an empty bottle still in his hand.

"Hey, what's up?" he slurred, plopping down in the chair.

Blackwood raised an eyebrow. "Ashton, we need to talk about what happened that night."

Ashton shrugged. "Honestly, I was way too drunk to remember anything. Just a blur, you know?"

Caldwell leaned in. "You don't remember seeing Melissa at all?"

He laughed, a sound devoid of real humor. "Dude, I barely remember my own name right now. Just ask Nicholas; he was the one freaking out."

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Theodore shuffled in, looking bewildered. "What am I even doing here?" he asked, glancing between the detectives.

"Just answer our questions, Theodore," Blackwood said, trying to maintain control. "What do you know about that night?"

"Nothing! I mean, I was there, but why am I here? As long as they don't come for me, we're good, right?" Theodore said, half-laughing, half-serious.

Caldwell exchanged a look with Blackwood, who sighed. "Just answer the questions, please."

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Nicholas entered next, his face a mask of confusion and tension. He sat down, visibly struggling to maintain his composure.

"Hey, Nicholas. Can you tell us what happened that night?" Blackwood asked gently.

Nicholas's hands shook as he spoke. "I just... I can't believe this is real. I saw the body, alright? I'm the one that found it! She got... murdered."

Caldwell leaned forward. "We didn't say she was murdered."

Nicholas's eyes blazed. "I saw the fucking body! That's a murder!"

"Okay, Nicholas," Blackwood said, trying to calm him. "We just need to understand what led to this. Can you tell us more about what happened when you found her?"

Nicholas clenched his fists, breathing heavily. "I was just looking for her. I thought she was just outside or something. But when I got there... she was lying there. I can't shake that image."

The tension in the room was palpable. Caldwell exchanged a worried glance with Blackwood, sensing Nicholas's growing distress. "Do you remember anyone acting strangely before you found her? Any fights or arguments?"

Nicholas shook his head violently. "No! Everyone was fine. I mean, we were all just partying! I didn't think— this happened to my parents.... I don't wanna go through this a second time."

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As the interviews progressed, the atmosphere in the police station shifted. The laughter and jokes from earlier had faded, replaced by an undercurrent of fear and disbelief. Detectives began to gather notes, piecing together the fragmented accounts of the night.

"Can you believe how they're all acting?" Caldwell muttered, looking at the door where Nicholas had just exited. "They treat this like a joke."

Blackwood nodded, frustration etched on his face. "This isn't a joke. Someone's dead, and we have to get to the bottom of it. This town is too used to privilege; they think they're untouchable."

As the next person walked in, the detectives braced themselves. The night was still young, and the weight of the investigation loomed over them like a storm cloud, ready to unleash chaos on the unsuspecting town.